Facilitates the cross border insurance between US and Mexico

Health Net of California, a subsidiary of Health Net, has expanded its health insurance program, Salud con Health Net, into San Diego County. Salud con Health Net has been offering access to Latino workers on both sides of the US/Mexico border for nine years.

Health Net’s Salud HMO y Mas program is being offered to employers and employees of small-and-mid-sized businesses between the Mexico border and Los Angeles County and is also available in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Health Net has said that the Salud HMO y Mas can potentially reduce the number of uninsured and alleviate the number of patients seeking care from emergency rooms, as its members are able to pay for the care they receive and have direct access to their own primary care physician.

Health Net’s contracted network of Mexico-based health care providers is made available by Sistema Medicos Nacionales, SA de CV (SIMNSA), the Mexican health plan licensed and overseen by the California department of managed health care. Its the same regulatory body that oversees HMOs doing business in California.

Salud HMO y Mas provides added value to its members by focusing on health education, prevention and wellness. It includes member access to Health Net’s Decision Powersm health coaches, who are experienced clinicians available 24 hours a day, have Spanish-speaking capabilities and assist members to work closely with their doctors to manage their medical conditions.

Ana Andrade, vice president of Latino programs for Health Net of California, said: “San Diego is a vital border market with a unique makeup of employers, employees and individuals who need and deserve access to quality health care services both here and in Mexico. We see our program as a gateway to improving their health status.

“Since the 2000 introduction of our Salud con Health Net suite of products and services. Membership has grown to more than 35,000 customers drawn by the products’ access to quality, culturally sensitive and culturally competent health care from doctors, specialists and hospitals both here in the US or just across the Mexican border,” she added.